Torn between her dreams and her mothers plans, Casey Carlyle (Michelle Trachtenberg) makes herself a better figure skater in Disneys Ice Princess using physics, which has led to the improvement of several top-notch skaters. Carlyle is a geeky high-school student whose mother Joan (Joan Cusack) pushes her toward a college career at Harvard, but her passion is figure skating. A physics project takes her to an ice rink owned and managed by controversial former Olympian Tina Harwood (Kim Cattrall). Harwoods daughter Gen (Hayden Panettiere) is one of the three elite skaters under her tutelage and rigorous training program. The hectic pace of skating, work and school takes a toll on Carlyle who is skating without her mothers blessing. Over time, the geek evolves into a princess on ice who goes to the finals of a regional competition, but a victory may come at the cost of her relationship with her mother.

Ice Princess is a delightful Disney movie for the whole family. Michelle Trachtenberg is wonderful as Casey Carlyle, the geeky physics student who loves to skate. Her feminist mother Joan has no problem with her skating on the pond in their backyard but wants to make sure she stays focused on a future college career at Harvard. Casey and Gen each live in a home without a father and is under the care of a mother trying to live her own dreams through her daughter. Bad parenting is a consistent occurrence in this film, and this poor example keeps it from getting a higher acceptability rating. The growing relationship between the Casey and Gen is the most delightful aspect of the movie. Skating fans will enjoy seeing Michelle Kwan and Brian Boitano as commentators for the regional finals. While Ice Princess is predictable, it certainly warms the heart.